Hirata is a professor in the Department of Robotic Science and Technology in the College of Engineering. He studies motor learning and memory in primates and fish, and his work involves the use of engineering techniques to study neural systems. Hirata established the Neural Cybernetics Laboratory in 2000.

“I enjoyed … running on the bike path along Hocking River every weekend, watching (the) beautiful landscape and the cherry trees from our university,” Hirata said.

During his stay in Athens, Hirata worked closely with members of Biological Sciences professor Scott Hooper’s lab, including graduate student Ryan Ellison and laboratory research associate Jeff Thuma. They studied the pyloric neuron in the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster.

Hirata said he also enjoyed Athens’ local restaurants and bakeries. Some of his favorites included coffee from Village Bakery and Donkey Coffee, Chinese balls from Ginger Kitchen, sandwiches from Brenen’s Coffee Café, and Mystic Mama IPA from Jackie O’s.